Key Program Components
- OHCS makes no-interest loans (Intergovernmental Agency Loans) to cities and counties that meet specific requirements to fund very low-, low- or moderate-income housing projects. Once a city or county becomes a sponsoring jurisdiction (SJ), they can use the loan from OHCS to sponsor eligible housing projects in their community. From the OHCS loan, sponsoring jurisdictions can reapportion the project funds by awarding a grant or loan to developers.
- OHCS offers two agency loan repayment options to sponsoring jurisdictions:
- Through an ad valorem tax exemption and program fee collected in-lieu of property taxes on improvements.
- Through an alternative funding source determined by the sponsoring jurisdiction.
- OHCS issues new loans for additional eligible housing projects with funds that are repaid.
- The MIRL program is limited to developing new housing or conversions of non-residential structures to housing for households earning 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less.
- Project funds may be used for costs related to infrastructure, predevelopment, construction, and land write-downs.
- Projects using MIRL resources will be subject to affordability requirements for the length of time that the loan remains outstanding.
Project Eligibility Standards
All MIRL projects must meet these basic eligibility requirements:
-
Location: The project must be located within the sponsoring jurisdiction, unless there is a special agreement between a city and county.
-
Affordability: Rent or sale prices must be set at or below 120% AMI (some jurisdictions may require a lower threshold). The property must also be sold or rented to households within the AMI.
-
Project type: The project must involve new construction or a conversion that creates new rental or ownership housing.
-
Project funding need: The project has identified a funding gap in project financing demonstrated in the MIRL Proforma.
-
Eligible costs: All project funds received by a developer may be used on the following eligible costs:
- Infrastructure
- System Development Charges (SDCs)
- Predevelopment costs
- Construction costs
- Land write downs
Please refer to the
MIRL Program Manual for more information. You can also
sign up for email updates to stay informed on the MIRL Program.
Program Status
Active Sponsoring Jurisdictions
This table displays cities and counties (sponsoring jurisdictions) that have activated their MIRL program and are accepting housing project applications to review. Contact your local sponsoring jurisdiction to see what affordable rental and homeownership projects are needed in their community for developers to apply for.
Availability of resources
- Available General Fund amount: $45 million
- Available Rural Reserve fund amount: $10 million
- Total available: $55 million